Customer Reviews

Stargate SG-1: Survival of the Fittest: SG1-7

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This one was a good one since the time-line took place between the season 5 episodes " The Fifth Guy, Right of Passage,The Menace, and Meridian" so they gave further information on their encounter with another system lord and the NID rep that replaced their biggest enemy in the first 3 seasons. I'd say that the only problem with this one was the need to create a further scape-goat in this one not to mention creating a six-way story line between the main characters and turning Fraiser into the victim was a good idea, but they took that one a little to far by the end of the story and it started getting annoying after a little while. But this was a very good story and I recommend it to any who like the show.

"Survival of the Fittest" is the second "Stargate SG-1" book that I've read by Sabine Bauer. The first one was "Trial by Fire", and I mention in that review that the story was dark, with detailed torture scenes, and a super annoying character. The Amazon product page for "Survival of the Fittest" doesn't have the back cover text, so here's what that says (note the British spelling, not my typos):

"Colonel Frank Simmons has never been a friend to SG-1. Working for the shadowy government organisation, the NID, he has hatched a horrifying plan to create an army as devastatingly effective as that of any Goa'uld. And he will stop at nothing to fulfil his ruthless ambition, even if that means forfeiting the life of the SGC's Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Janet Fraiser. But Simmons underestimates the bond between Stargate Command's officers. When Fraiser, Major Samantha Carter and Teal'c disappear, Colonel Jack O'Neill and Dr. Daniel Jackson are forced to put aside personal differences to follow their trail into a world of savagery and death. In this complex story of revenge, sacrifice and betrayal, SG-1 must endure their greatest ordeal..."

Ok, a few adjectives from that blurb are correct: horrifying, savagery and death. Complex? sure, why not. But it's also boring. The complexity bogs it down and the pace just is too slow. There is a ton of detail in the scene descriptions which I often find fun b/c I can picture the book as a movie. But this storyline is just too slow as-is...it would need some massive editing to become a movie, and even then I'm not sure it would be any good.

This book apparently takes place immediately after the Season 5 episode "Menace" where Reese the human-form replicator is discovered, studied, and killed by SG-1. The death of Reese apparently caused some MAJOR angst between Daniel and Jack, but I sure don't recall seeing it in the TV show. The book chomps onto this supposed angst, stirs in a trap set by the NID to get SG-1 out of the way, adds Nirrti to compete with Frank Simmons for 'most evil bad guy', and flavors with Harry Maybourne, Bra'tak, and General Hammond going on an off-world mission together. We see into the mind/motives of Jack (take the blame in order to protect the team) and we see General Hammond struggle to deal with post-traumatic stress disorder from his tour in Viet Nam. Given that Sabine likes to write about torture (physical and mental), we get a few detailed scenes about that (Jack, Janet, and Sam), we hear language that would NEVER come out of the mouth of Jack and Hammond, and we get to see Sam run around in her undies with every man in sight drooling in sexual paralysis. Roll it all together and its just not a very enjoyable book.

This is a great book.Good story line.It kept me interested.I got to read some of the book before I purchased it, so I was not disappointed. It is very important that a book catches my attention in the first few pages.This book did just that.The author did not over do with disscribing a tree in the forest or the clouds in the sky.It is boring to me to read two pages of how a tree looked.Well anyway, its a good book.I gave it 5 stars.

I loved this story and how it really focused on the characters. Since the cancellation of SG1 I really appreciate the novels keeping the show alive.

This is the third SG-1 Fandimonium book I've read, and I loved the first two (Barque of Heaven, Sacrifice Moon), but am a bit shocked at the level of gore I'm discovering in its pages. I'm about half-way through, and have serious thoughts of not continuing; I'm all for a good story, and I love the SG-1 characters and bad guys, but having lives thrown away like Kleenexes (i.e. dozens of Marines used as test subjects), and the general viscious violent attitudes of Nirrti and those she influences, I'm getting a little turned-off. So, to be fair, I have all 10 Seasons of SG-1, about all of the fanfic one can purchase on eBay - so it's not like I'm not a fan. I'm just not a fan of attitudes that don't value the lives of others as I do - which even extends to cats. There is a sentence which mentions Nirrti being o.k. with, 'being willing to eviscerate a cat just to hear it squeal.' Sorry guys, just a little to graphic for this chickie. I think I might skip to the end at this point. By the way, the SG-1 movie was really good - a 7.5 out of 10! Watch it if you haven't already. :)

I read the first few Stargate SG-1 novels that were released and almost never picked up another one. The author wrote from the movie and just never seemed to connect to her story. Ms. Bauer is obviously a fan of the television series. I thought the characters were right on target. A really well done novel, and I hope to read more from her.

ms. bauer obviously can whip up a great story outline. actually writting it seems to be beyond her. it is full of incredably boring with a semi interesting nugget spread way to far apart. ms. bauer obviously had friends who hadnt read it, write favorable reviews.

This was another great SG1 page turner. The team clash with the Marines and well, they lose...why? What went wrong? What happened? Teal'c and Carter and Janet go offworld with the Marines while Jack and Daniel recoup. Having lost contact with Carter, Janet and Teal'c. Jack and Daniel must put their personal differences aside to save their friends. Why couldn't the Marines save them? What happened? The notstop struggles and obstacles, and action keep you glued to the book. Best friends who are like family working together(No one gets left behind)!

This is not exactly a review of the story per se, as I have not yet read this story which is why I have only given it a one star rating. But someone seems to have missed some important information - in my opinion - about this book, that being its size and why it costs so much in relation to the other books? (The price equates to more than $33 Australian dollars + post.) It is apparently a paperback, but is it Trade paperback size? How many pages does it contain? Does it contain pictures? What makes this one so special? Is there any gold in the hinge? Can I afford it? Will it be worth it? Come on 'fess up. Or am I being over reactive? Victor

Fast paced. A must read for stargate fans who need more of an SG1 fix.